Marijke Groenewoud looks back on her formative years training on the 400-meter track in Thialf, recalling the enjoyable moments and friendships made during her early speed skating career.
According to Schaatsen.nl, Groenewoud often reminisces about practicing alongside her male peers, taking pleasure in the fast ice and the camaraderie shared. She continues to attend the annual Ferwerter Iisclub meeting, where she reconnects with former training partners such as Harm Visser and Klaas Poortinga, sharing enjoyable conversations and laughter.
Harm Visser, now a prominent figure in the marathon skating circuit with Team Essent, recalls the fun they had in their youth. He highlights their playful approach to training, especially through activities like skating, hockey, and slalom exercises, which contributed to Groenewoud’s agility. Visser and Groenewoud never anticipated turning their pastime into a professional career, yet both have achieved success in the sport.
Klaas Poortinga, another former teammate and respected marathon skater, describes Groenewoud as a spirited and kind individual who always prioritized enjoyment in her sport. He shares memories of skating together in the old Frieslandhal, where the tight track and wooden boards made falls particularly painful. He also fondly recalls their participation in the Hutspot Cup, a competition where the prize consisted of a bucket of potatoes, carrots, and onions—a trophy Groenewoud won multiple times.
Despite Groenewoud’s rise to world-class status and a professional career with Team Albert Heijn Zaanlander, her friends say she remains unchanged in her approachable and humble nature. Poortinga emphasizes that whenever they meet, the atmosphere is just as friendly and relaxed as it was during their early days.
